Arteta defends angry reaction to Dowman’s red card: ‘We are not in Disneyland’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his angry reaction to Max Dowman’s controversial red card against Fleetwood Town, insisting the 16-year-old must learn to handle physical challenges.

According to The Independent⁠, Dowman was sent off during Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat after kicking out at Fleetwood defender Harrison Neal, who had brought him down with a heavy challenge from behind.

Arteta faced criticism for his reaction as the teenager walked off the pitch but insisted his approach was necessary. “We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League,” the Spaniard said.

He added that Dowman must understand his responsibilities to the team, despite his age. “We look after him so much but we are also demanding as he needs to earn the right to play otherwise what are the rest of the boys going to tell me?”

Arsenal subsequently failed in their appeal against the dismissal, with the Football Association upholding Dowman’s three-match suspension. Arteta also expressed disappointment with the verdict, saying: “We are lucky he hasn’t got a broken foot.”

The Arsenal manager said he had spoken with Dowman and insisted there were no issues between them.